Preparing for your trip

The national Accueil Vélo quality mark is awarded to specialist accommodation and service providers located within 5km of the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo cycle route who guarantee cyclists a high standard of welcome. This page provides you with further practical information on the mark and internet links.

If you prefer to cycle along without worries or heavy luggage, consider using the specialist travel companies that offer tailormade cycling holidays along the route. They can look after accommodation reservations, bicycle hire and the transportation of your luggage.

It’s very useful for cyclists to know that they can reach the starting point of their cycling trip by train, and there are many possibilities for getting on to the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo cycle route by train. Do though check on precise details for carrying a bike on the various SNCF train services, as not all trains do accept bikes, or for some, you have to reserve a bicycle space in advance. Also avoid rush hour!

Hiring a bike is a useful option to allow you to take on the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo, enabling you to make sure you have a well-equipped bicycle in a good state of repair. Certain bicycle-hire companies even offer a service to transport your bike from the point where you finish back to the place from which you departed.

To make sure that you have a successful trip along the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo cycle route, it is essential that you have a bicycle and equipment in a good state of repair and, as far as possible, of good quality, adapted to the terrain. Read our advice on this page dedicated to your cycling equipment.

Those of you who are fans of your GPS devices, then this page is for you. There’s nothing better than a GPS track to guide you with precision along the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo cycle route, if you use the most suitable devices. Follow our advice on this page and then you can swiftly download the excellent GPS tracks available.